Pre-match rituals are a big part of football for players and supporters alike. Cooper Tire Europe, the first ‘Official Tyre of Arsenal Football Club’, is delving into the fascinating realm of pre-match rituals, asking players and fans, how do you get #MatchReady?

As the tension builds in the minutes leading up to kick-off, the players are getting ready and so are the fans. In a recent survey commissioned by Cooper Tire Europe,* 78% of Arsenal fans were found to have a specific pre-match ritual, and more than half (55%) of respondents claimed to be superstitious.

Cooper began its research with none other than Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Danny Welbeck and Laurent Koscielny. Midfielder Chamberlain revealed that he always hops onto the pitch and puts his left shin pad and boot on before his right, admitting, “I don’t know why, but I’ve just always done that.”

Arsenal forward Welbeck doesn’t really have a superstition but, like many players, listens to music before a game to get in the zone. Defender Koscielny psyches himself up by slapping his face – this gets the Frenchman ready for the challenge as shown in Cooper’s #MatchReady fan film: http://bit.ly/19Kg0yX

Arsenal fan rituals that emerged from the survey included:

Always going through the same turnstile at the Emirates

Putting on ‘game day’ socks

Saying the same thing out loud with every kick-off

Clapping until 17 seconds into the game

Eating the same pre-match meal

Listening to a special playlist

Walking the dog to calm the nerves

To encourage more fans across Europe to share their pre-match rituals, Cooper is running a #MatchReady competition on Twitter. To be in with a chance to win two tickets to watch Arsenal v Swansea with Arsenal Legend Ray Parlour on 9 May follow @CooperTireEU and share your ritual using #MatchReady. Fans can show how they prepare for kick-off via a simple tweet or using images and videos.

Winners and their guest will also get to have lunch with the famous ‘Romford Pelé’ at the stadium’s Highbury Buffet ahead of the game.

The #MatchReady competition closes on Monday 27 April 2015 at 17:00hrs BST.** Visit http://on.fb.me/1IQwJgt for full terms and conditions. How do you get #MatchReady?